Infant&#39;s furniture



March 22, 1966 D. M. BEERY INFANTS FURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1964 INVENTOR. DALE M. By

A Tree/V945 March 22, 1966 D. M. BEERY 3,241,878

INFANT S FURNITURE Filed Feb. 28, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W!" lm!! k Z/ w INVENTOR. DALE M. BRY

5. I BY a A r razwyf 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 28, 1964 INVENTOR 0/115 M. BEER) United States Patent 3,241,878 INFANTS FURNITURE Dale Max Beery, Seattle, Wash, assignor to Tie-Chair Inc., Richland, WElSlL, a corporation of Washington Filed Feb. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 348,010 11 Claims. (Cl. 297-257) The present invention concerns an article of furniture for infants, one which is foldable for transportation or storage yet easily set up for use, that can be made inexpensively of corrugated paper board yet is sufficiently rugged in its construction that it is unlikely to wear out or break down throughout the months or years it is designed to be used by a small child, and one which can be used in a variety of ways, as a chair, rocker, swing, or even as a sled, for example, and which in any such use will enclose and confine an infant, to prevent his crawling or toddling about. Being foldable and easily set up, it can be transported from place to place, and put to use at any destination.

Since the article has no single distinguishing characteristic or use, it will be referred to hereinafter as an article of the character described.

The patent to Gates, No. 2,979,121, dated April 11, 1961, discloses a foldable chair attachment for infants, and is intended to be supported upon and tied securely to a conventional chair, whereby the infant can be secured, confined, and supported safely off the floor. The present invention comprises an article of furniture having an upper foldable seating enclosure joined to a lower support to constitute a complete article of furniture, which may be used in a variety of ways without dependence on a conventional chair.

Speaking generally, the article of this invention comprises a lower support portion that includes at least a seat, and a separate upper enclosure portion, the two being secured together in use, and the components thereof being held in positions of use, by lacing means or the like. The support portion will in most cases include side flanges formed as legs, a rocker, or sled runners, and held down-turned at the sides of the seat by the lacing means or other joining means. The seat may be of corrugated board primarily, provided it is stiffened and strengthened adequately, as by a rib structure, which also can be made of corrugated board, and which is engaged by lacing means. The arrangement is one wherein the rib structure assists in holding the side flanges in their down-turned position. The upper enclosure portion will normally include a hood, formed with a top and down-turned side panels, for securement in set-up position by the same or additional lacing means, to the seat or to the side flanges; it may also include panels infolded to define a front wall, similarly secured to each other and to the seat. A back portion supports the infants back, and if formed separately from the remainder of the article it, too, may be secured and braced by the lacing means. Such an article when set up can be used as a chair, rocker, or sled, and by the addition of suspending lines from above passing through the support portion, and usually also through the enclosure portion, it will serve as a swing.

A preferred form of the article is shown in the accompanying drawings, and various changes will suggest themselves as this description progresses, and are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the article as fully set up.

FIGURE 2 is also an isometric view of the same, taken from below.

FIGURE 3 is an underside plan view, partly broken away, of the flattened or unfolded support portion, and

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FIGURE 4 is a similar plan view, but from above the same.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the flattened enclosure portion, and FIGURE 6 is a like view of the separate back portion which cooperates therewith to complete the enclosure portion.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the article, at the line 77 of FIGURE 8, and FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view of the same, at the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary isometric view, broken away in part, of the relationship of the seat, its side flanges and their tabs, and the stiffening ribs, in set-up relationship.

The principal components of the article are the lower support portion 1, the upper enclosure portion 2, and the back portion 3 which is in effect a part of the enclosure portion and might be made integral therewith, although preferably, and as shown, it is a separate component.

The support portion 1 is preferably made of corrugated paper board, and includes in all cases a seat 10 of generally rectangular shape, large enough for the infant to be seated thereon with his legs outstretched. This seat, unless the article is to be used purely as a swing, is suitably supported from the floor, as by side flanges 11 downturned along fold lines F1 along the opposite side edges of the seat. The lower edges of these flanges 11 can be shaped to define legs, rockers, or sled runners; as shown they are curved, and may be used as rockers or sled runners alternatively. They can be suitably reinforced, as by metal strips 11a.

Such a support portion, unless strengthened, would tend to be flimsy. One way in which it can be strengthened is to form it of several layers of corrugated board, as shown. Alternatively, or preferably in addition, it can be strengthened and stiffened by a rib structure supported at its underside. Such a rib structure is shown at 12, and in the form shown it is made up as a sheet of material (corrugated board is suitable) continuously folded along the lines F2 to define a series of ribs 12a that in set-up condition extend transversely across the entire central part of the seat, and are supported in contact with the underside thereof. To avoid the necessity of a wholly separate component, and to locate the rib structure where it will engage properly its complemental locating elements on the support portion 1, it is preferred to attach it to the underside of the seat by adhesive means or the like, as indicated at the line 13. The rib structure in use is hidden by the side flanges 11.

Since the support portion 1 is desirably of multiply material, the ply that in use constitutes the inner side of the side flanges 11 is shown as formed with flaps 14, inturned at locations that correspond with locations of the opposite ends of the ribs 12a. These ribs 12a and the flaps 141 that lie alongside their ends are apertured in registry in the set-up condition, and a lacing means 15, threaded through the several flaps and ribs, will retain the ribs properly folded along the lines F2. The side flanges 11, folded down along the lines F1, are held in that position by the same lacing means. Thereby the support portion is made adequately stiff and strong. Additional reinforcement can be provided at edges, fold lines F1, and similar locations, as is suggested by the metal edging at 11a and by the extra ply material at 16, at the ends of the seat. The wear strips 11a may serve as runners for the sled.

The outer or upper surface of the support portion is formed, along the fold lines F1 for the most part, to define tabs 17 or 17a. When the side flanges 11 are folded downwardly, the tabs 17 will extend upwardly, and the tabs 17a, and the like tabs 17b towards the front end of the seat 10, can be turned upwardly. Their function is to locate the upper enclosure portion and to assist in securing the upper and lower portions together.

The upper enclosure portion 2 is formed as a hood, having a top 20, side panels 21 that fold downwardly along fold lines F3, and cooperating front panels 22 and 22a that fold downwardly and inwardly across the front along fold lines F4. Lacing means, to be described later, retain the hood in its folded condition. The top is recessed at 23 to accommodate the infant, and the edge of the recess is reinforced by metal strips 23a. A back to support his back might be formed integral with the hood, or might stand up from the support portion 1, but preferably is a separate component 3. It includes the back proper at 30, and wings 31 folded inwardly at each side along fold lines F5 that in set-up condition lie alongside the rearward part of the side panels 21. The edges of the back are also desirably reinforced, at 32.

The first operation in setting up the article from its flat, folded condition, is normally to fold the rib structure 12 until its several ribs 12a register at their ends with the locations of the flaps 14 of the side flanges. The side flanges are then folded, and their flaps 14, alongside the respective ribs, are secured by threading the lacing means 15 through successive ribs and their flaps. The tabs 17, 17a, and 17b are now upwardly directed, in positions to lie alongside the side and front panels of the enclosure portion 2. The back portion 3 is also located so that its wings 31 lie alongside the side panels 21. With parts in this relationship a lacing means 25 is threaded through registering holes provided in the various components, including the tabs which are part of the support portion 1. When all are laced together the hood and the back are strongly held and braced in set-up relation, and are secured to the support portion 1. The lacing means 15 and 25 might be integral, but preferably two separate lacing means are employed. In lieu of lacing means, other suitable joining means may be used.

The article thus set up is usable as a chair, as a rocker, or as a sledwith the addition of draft lines in the latter case. It is easily disassembled if desired, and being strongly reinforced and held together, it is quite durable. If it is desired to use it as a swing, suspending lines can be passed from above through and beneath the support portion, as well as through the enclosure portion if desired. These lines 4 desirably extend through and beneath the rib structure, as is seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, thereby gaining full benefit of the reinforcement afforded thereby.

In the article as shown most of the various holes through which the lacing means or the suspending lines are threaded are reinforced with grommets. These and similar provisions are conventional wherever stress occurs, particularly in such material as is preferred in the manufacture of this article, and need not be described in detail. As many as may be necessary are used, and their locations are not especially important, in most instances. Nor is the sequence of threading the lacing means through the various grommets of primary importance.

The upper portion 2 might be used separately from the lower portion 1, in a manner similar to the structure of the Gates patent. In such a case the lacing means 25 could be employed to hold the side and front panels in their folded position, to secure the back portion 3 to the hood, and even to secure the entire upper portion upon a conventional chair, as is done in the Gates structure. Conversely, the lower portion 1 might be used separately from the upper portion 2, the child being otherwise confined or strapped to the lower portion when used as a rocker or sled. The article will, however, find its greatest usefulness when the upper and lower portions are used conjointly, for then the lacing means 25 not only joins the two portions, but serves also to hold the upper portion 2 in its folded position of use, together with the back portion 3, and assists in retaining the tabs 17, 17a and 17b in their position of use, and if the lacing means 25 is integral with the lacing means 15, it serves further to hold the lower portion 1 in position of use. Also, the upper portion 2 is highly useful, for an infant at the age for which the article is designed cannot be left unconfined while using the article, since he would soon crawl off it, and might hurt himself or damage the article. The upper portion 1 admirably confines him while he amuses himself by rocking or swinging, or is pulled along as on a sled.

I claim as my invention:

1. An article of the character described, comprising a lower support portion and a separate upper enclosure portion, said support portion including a generally planar seat and foldable integral flanges which in use depend therefrom at opposite sides to support the seat, the enclosure portion including a foldable hood formed while in use to confine a baby, and resting upon the seat, releasable means engageable with and joining each of the support portion and the enclosure portion, mutually to hold each such portion in its position of use, or to permit the same to be unfolded and flattened upon release of said means, a separate foldable rib structure disposed beneath and secured intermediate its ends to the seat, and in use folded intermediate its securement and its ends to define a series of ribs directed across the seat, and releasable means to retain the ends of the rib structure thus folded, or upon release to permit it to be unfolded and flattened.

2. An article of the character described, comprising a lower support portion and a separate upper enclosure portion, said support portion including a generally planar seat and foldable integral flanges which in use depend therefrom at opposite sides to support the seat, the enclosure portion including a foldable hood formed while in use to confine a baby, and resting upon the seat, releasable means engageable with and joining each of the support portion and the enclosure portion, mutually to hold each such portion in its position of use, or to permit the same to be unfolded and flattened upon release of said means, a foldable rib structure disposed beneath and secured across a portion of its length to the seat, and releasable means interengageable between the several ribs of said rib structure and the down-folded flanges of the seat to retain the flanges thus down-folded and the rib structure folded into its reinforcing position, or upon release to permit both to be unfolded and flattened.

3. An article of the character described, comprising a lower support portion and a separate upper enclosure portion, said support portion including a generally planar seat and integral flanges depending therefrom at opposite sides, and also including tabs upstanding at intervals along the sides of the seat, the enclosure portion including a hood formed to confine a baby, and including a top and panels folded downwardly at its sides to contact the seat alongside said tabs, lacing means threaded through said tabs and said side panels mutually to secure the enclosure portion and the support portion, each in its folded position of use, including retaining the side panels folded down to contact the seat, and to secure together the two portions, reinforcing ribs beneath and contacting the seat, directed transversely thereof, and means interconnecting, said ribs at their ends with the side flanges, to retain the latter folded downwardly for support of the seat.

4. An article of the character described, comprising a lower support portion and a separate upper enclosure portion, said support portion including a generally planar seat and integral flanges depending at opposite sides of the seat, and formed with tabs upstanding at intervals along the sides of the seat, a reinforcing rib structure formed with foldable ribs that when in position of use are directed transversely beneath and contacting the seat, means interconnecting the ribs of said rib structure, at their ends, with the side flanges, to retain the latter folded downwardly for support of the seat and the ribs in their folded condition, the upper enclosure portion including a hood formed to confine a baby, and including a top and panels folded downwardly at the sides to contact the seat, alongside the tabs, and means interconnecting the tabs and the down-folded panels of the enclosure portion, to secure the enclosure portion in its folded condition and secured to the support portion.

5. An article as defined in claim 4, wherein the lastmentioned interconnecting means comprises lacing means threaded through the tabs and the enclosure portion.

6. An article as defined in claim 4, wherein the side flanges at their lower edges are similarly curved, to serve as rockers or sled runners.

7. An article as defined in claim 4, including flaps infolded at intervals from the opposite side flanges, alongside the ends of the ribs, the interconnecting means including lacing elements laced through the flaps and ribs.

8. An article as defined in claim 4, including suspending swing lines extending through the enclosure portion, the seat, and the ribs, to support the article from above as a swing.

9. An article of the character described, comprising a lower support portion and a separate upper enclosure portion, said support portion including a generally planar seat, a continuously folded rib structure beneath the seat, with its ribs directed transversely, and lacing means releasably joining said rib structure and the seat to stiffen the latter; the enclosure portion including a hood formed to confine and support a baby, and including a top and side panels folded down to contact the seat, a separate back portion formed with wings at its side edges directed forwardly to lie alongside the side panels, and lacing means joining the support portion, the enclosure portion, and the back portion to hold each thereof in its relative position of use.

10. An article of the character described, comprising a seat, integral flanges foldable downwardly at each side of the seat to support the latter, a rib structure secured transversely of and to the seat, and foldable to define individual ribs extending between the down-folded flanges, flaps upon the flanges, located at the ends of the indi vidual ribs, and foldable to lie alongside the ends of the corresponding ribs, and a lacing threaded through the several ribs and flaps, to retain the flanges down-folded and the rib structure folded in its seat-stiffening position.

11. An article of the character described, comprising a seat, integral flanges foldable downwardly at each side of the seat to support the latter, a foldable rib structure secured permanently to the under side of the seat along a single transverse line only, and foldable to define individual ribs extending between the down-folded flanges to stiffen the seat, and lacing means joining the flanges and the ends of the ribs, to retain both thereof in the folded positions of use.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,957 5/ 1896 Wilton 4615 853,624 5/1907 Burt et al. N 28012 X 1,376,087 4/1921 Fliedner 4615 1,839,579 1/1932 Murray 297-276 X 2,316,796 4/ 1943 Lichter 22923 2,736,364 2/1956 Janus 297-390 X 2,920,807 1/1960 Bruce 229-49 X 2,979,121 4/1961 Gates 297-255 FOREIGN PATENTS 649,336 9/ 1962 Canada. 155,160 12/ 1920 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

R. B. FARLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

11. AN ARTICLE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A SEAT, INTEGRAL FLANGES FOLDABLE DOWNWARD AT EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT TO SUPPORT THE LATTER, A FOLDABLE RIB STRUCTURE SECURED PERMANENTLY TO THE UNDER SIDE OF THE SEAT ALONG A SINGLE TRANSVERSE LINE ONLY, AND FOLDABLE TO DEFINE INDIVIDUAL RIBS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE DOWN-FOLDED FLANGES TO 